 Photo by Jude Beck on Unsplash If you live in the Western Hemisphere you're probably familiar with the tradition of setting New Year's Resolutions. The most common New Year's Resolutions are: 1. Lose Weight 2. Exercise More 3. Get Organized I agree with all three of these resolutions. I want to lose weight after the holiday feasting season. I want to exercise more to reach my goal of running a marathon. And, I want to get organized and reduce the rest of the clutter in my home. The problem with resolutions is they're easy to ignore after a few days or weeks if they don't become HABITS. So, this year I'm resolving to create strong habits to improve my regular and running life. How to Succeed at a New HabitAuthor and Habit Journal creator, James Clear suggests the best way to build a new habit is to start with a teeny, tiny goal. This strategy is backed up by research done at Duke University. Below is a quick recap of Clear's How to Build a Habit Guide. You can read his book, Atomic Habits for a deep dive. 1. Start with an Very Small HabitMake your goal so small you can't fail. For wannabe runners: Start with a walk around the block, not running a mile. 2. Increase Your Habit in Small WaysHabits, like building increased running mileage, should be gradual. If you increase your habit by 1% on a regular schedule, it will add up fast. Adding one city block to your walk/run each day is easy. After a week, you'll be moving 7 more blocks! That's a great result for a small daily increase. 3. As You Build, Break Your Habit into ChunksOkay, as you add little bits of mileage, you'll soon be walking/running far. Clear suggests you can stay engaged by breaking your habit into parts. For example, instead of walking for an hour break it into two 30-minute walks. Stroll in the morning and again in the evening. For sweaty workouts like running and power walking it may work best to set a weekly goal. Then, break your mileage or time goal into smaller pieces you accomplish over 7 days. 4. When You Slip, Get Back on Track FastIf you miss a day (or week) don't abandon your goal. Simply start again when and where you are. Life is too unpredictable to be harsh with yourself over missed workouts. 5. Be Patient. Keep a Pace You Can Sustain.It's hard to be patient when you want to lose weight, run faster, or complete any goal. Real success comes with consistent efforts. The trick is to set a realistic starting point and goal. No one gets up one day and runs a great marathon. It takes a long time to prepare. It starts with a running habit that grows to a long distance over time. Start where you are and build on it. Training includes good days, bad days, hard days, and easy days — all those days get you to the finish line.  I'm Kicking Off My 2021 HabitIt makes me nervous to say this out loud, but my resolution, goal, habit, dream is to run a marathon sometime in the next year or so. It's a long-term goal I plan to achieve by improving my running habit. I don't expect many in-person races until late in 2021 which makes it the perfect time to train for a marathon. My plan is to re-start at the beginning. I'll follow a series of training plans. I'll begin with a 5K, then a 10K, then a half, and then a marathon. That will get me to the end of the 2021 in a slow-growing, methodical way. Setting Goals Along the WayMy hope is that in-person races can resume by Fall. Based on that, I've scheduled the following events to keep me on track with my goal and habit.
Cheers to Your New 2021 HabitsThat's my plan for 2021. Cheers to everyone out there who has their own goal for 2021. I wish you success all along the way. Happy New Year! #BDRSafetyHarbor #BestDamnRace #BDRSafetyHarbor #BDROrlando #BDRSavannah #StPeteRunFest #SPRF #RunFlorida #StPeteBeachClassic #SPBC #SPBCchallenge #MarathonTraining #HippieDash #RaceDiscounts #BibChat #RunChat #HC15K #HotChocolateRaces #HCLouisville #WillRunForChocolate #BibRavePro #RunStPete #HoorayRunning #ThisOldRunner #OptOutside #WeRunSocial #BibRavePro #BDRAmbassador
ELF and all related characters and elements copyright and TM New Line Productions, Inc. (s20) We all need extra holiday cheer this year, and I'm happy to report I found it with the Elf Virtual Run hosted by Ram Races. I appreciate when race management communicates on a regular basis, and Ram Racing certainly did. I received regular emails throughout the event. Along the way runners could enter a contest to win energy gels, and download a training plan. There's a race-specific Elf Virtual Run Instagram account that provides info and updates. Adding Holiday Cheer to My #RunWithBuddy RaceAs soon as I registered I started looking for ways to channel Buddy the Elf. I wanted to embrace and spread holiday cheer. Here's what happened:
Disclaimer: I received registration for the Elf Virtual Run as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews.  My Elf Virtual Run running gear was bright and cheerful. (Photo credit: This Old Runner) Why I Loved My Elf Virtual RunIf I seriously counted my miles, I geared-up and ran my Elf race 2 or 3 times. I liked running around the city wearing holiday gear and hiding painted rocks. It was the least I could do to spread Christmas cheer. For me, having a themed race was a good distraction. We didn't travel or see extended family this year. Covid-19 and the economy provided extra worries. It was fun to focus on a holiday race. The virtual aspect was the best part — I could share the race with friends and family who live far away. I didn't worry about safety precautions beyond my own mask and route. I could run when and where I wanted. Plus, it felt good to train for and run extra miles during a season filled with extra carb-loading.
Elf Virtual Run Race SWAG is AWESOMEMy red full-zip hoodie, race bib, and green ELF beanie arrived in early December. Race management advised us via email that the medals would follow later. There was a delay in shipping. My medal arrived on December 28. If you need this great swag in your life, it's not too late to get it. You can register and run The Elf Virtual Run until January 31, 2021. Sign up now, and you can enjoy the Elf gear for years to come! I know I will. Check Out How Other BibRave Pros Personalized Their Elf Virtual RunOne of the best parts of a virtual race is that you can make it exactly what you want. I added a Scavenger Hunt because I like silly goals and distractions. Check out how some of my fellow BibRave Pros ran their virtual Elf Run for more ideas. #ElfRunBR #BuddyTheElf #KeepMoving #HolidayRun #BrighterDaysAhead #RunFlorida #WeRunSocial #RunInTheSun #OptOutside #FLRunner #ThisOldRunner #HoorayRunning #RunEveryStreet #RunYourTown #EverySinglePerson #Plogging #TeamEarth #AlleyPlogging @BibRave #Virtual #HolidayRace #BibChat #BibRavePro @RamRacing #ElfVirtualRun #RunWithBuddy @RamRacing
ELF and all related characters and elements copyright and TM New Line Productions, Inc. (s20) Extra Holiday Fun for Your Elf Virtual Run
Disclaimer: I received registration for the Elf Virtual Run as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews. Free Download: Elf Scavenger Hunt ListEveryone's invited to join in the scavenger hunt. Simply search for the items on the list while running your 5K or 10K. It's a fun way to add extra competition if you're running virtually with friends. It helps the miles go fast for me. You can take a screen shot of the image below, or download the jpg in 8.5 x 11" or Instagram stories size. I'll post on Instagram and Twitter, too so you can share from there.  Here's my Elf Virtual Run Scavenger Hunt. Feel free to share it and join in. (Image Credit: This Old Runner) 
Post your scavenger hunt results on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #ElfVirtualRun and #RunWithBuddy so we can cheer for each other. I can't wait to see what people find on the run! Let me know about your race. You can find me @ThisOldRunner on IG and Twitter. You Can Still Register for Elf Virtual RunIf you'd like to give (or get) an Elf Virtual Run registration — go for it. Registration is still open. You can run your race and upload your results anywhere and anytime between now and January 31, 2021. Spreadin' Holiday Cheer in My Elf Virtual Run Gear Holiday rocks, Caramel Candy flavored Gatorade Endurance energy gel, Knockaround Ugly Sweater Sunnies, and an awesome ELF mask! I'm ready! (Photo Credit: This Old Runner) Maybe it's the pandemic. Maybe it's 'cause Elf is my favorite holiday movie... either way, I'm having so much fun prepping for my Elf Run. My daughter made me an Elf Movie mask when she heard I was running. I LOVE IT! I scored a pair of ugly sweater sunnies from Knockaround — to spread Christmas cheer, of course! PLUS, I received a wonderful surprise from Gatorade Endurance. They sent me their new energy gel flavors (Watermelon, Cherry Lime, and Caramel Candy). What could possibly match an Elf Race better than a caramel candy gel?!?! Check Back Here After The Race
#ElfRunBR #BuddyTheElf #KeepMoving #BrighterDaysAhead #RunFlorida #WeRunSocial #RunInTheSun #OptOutside #FLRunner #ThisOldRunner #HoorayRunning #RunEveryStreet #RunYourTown #EverySinglePerson #Plogging #TeamEarth🌎 #AlleyPlogging @BibRave #Virtual #HolidayRace #BibChat #BibRavePro @RamRacing #ElfVirtualRun #RunWithBuddy #StPeteRocks
Knockaround sunglasses extended their Cyber Monday Deal! They'll give you a FREE pair of Ugly Sweater sunnies with every order through the end of today. No minimum. Limited Time! Buy anything on the site and claim your free Ugly Sweater Sunnies. Makes a fun holiday gift!   
 Images: Knockaround. #KnockFan #Knockaround #UglySweater #Polarized #Sunglasses
It's #CyberMonday! Science in Sport is offering up to 50% OFF their fueling and recovery products.  Science In Sport Cyber Monday Sale includes variety packs and bundles. (Image: SiS) Disclaimer: I received SiS REGO Rapid Recovery as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews Discount Code for EXTRA 10% Off Sale PricesSAVE up to 50% + Extra 10% OFF when you use the discount code "CYBER" at checkout. Now is a great time to try REGO Rapid Recovery. It's a delish drink with carbs, protein, electrolytes, vitamins + minerals. It is making me really happy after my hard workouts!
Need a Gift Idea for Your Favorite Athlete?If you need a gift for your favorite runner, biker, swimmer, etc., head over to ScienceInSport.com and put together an awesome gift basket at a great price. You're welcome. Hurry up though, this Cyber Monday Sale ends tonight at midnight! #SiSUSABR #BibChat #BibRavePro
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